The 2023 Cattle Baron’s Ball Underwriters Party guest list on Tuesday, September 26, was planned for 250 guests. An hour into the event that number had well bypassed 300 and was heading toward 350. It was a good thing the valet had added extra staff just in case.
But who could have been surprised? After all, the party was taking place at Jacquelin and William Atkinson‘s home in Old Highland Park and, thanks to Jacquelin’s design gene and William’s artistic talents, it was a sight to enjoy.
From the walls featuring William’s artwork and the blending of contemporary touches and antiques, the only thing missing was the lady of the house.
Unfortunately, Jacquelin was upstairs, having been under the weather for three days. Luckily, her mom Peggy Sewell, who herself had chaired the 1983 CBB, and William, along with the Atkinsons’ toddler daughter Henrietta, were filling in for mom.
Greeting the non-stop arrival of guests at the door were 2023 Co-Chairs Andrea Cheek and Isabell Novakov Higgingbotham.
To handle the overflow crowd, the house’s beautiful backyard and perfect weather were ready for guests like Catharine and David Recht, Lora Farris with Bennett Schmidt, Garry Weber with Maura Young and the Neiman Marcus posse (Ryan Ross and Robbie Kruithoff, Mary McGreevy Jennings and William Jennings and Marjon Henderson) to enjoy the music and to try on cowboy hats on display poolside.
Kristi and Ron Hoyl reported that daughter Sydney Hoyl would be performing at the 2023 Cattle Baron’s Ball. The gal is somehow juggling her singing career with attending college in New York City.
Looking a bit coy was Monica Christopher with husband Brent Christopher. Little did anyone know that the next day, it would be announced that the longtime Communities Foundation of Texas executive would be announcing her exodus from CFT. The natural question was, “Where to?” No telling, but it should be announced in the weeks to come.